Method of assembling molds

Abstract

An improved method of assembling molds enables the size of successive molds to be adjusted to provide cast articles having a desired size. In practicing the method, a first or initial mold is assembled in a fixture. This initial mold is used to form a cast article. The cast article formed in the initial mold is measured to determine the extent to which the dimensions of the article deviate from predetermined design dimensions. The fixture is then adjusted to compensate for the deviations in the dimensions of the cast article from the intended or design dimensions. A second mold is then assembled in the fixture. Since the fixture has been adjusted to compensate for the inaccuracies in the first mold, a product cast with the second mold will have dimensions closer to the desired dimensions.

Having described a specific preferred embodiment of the invention, the following is claimed: 
     
       1. A method of assembling a mold, said method comprising the steps of providing a base, providing a plurality of upstanding pin members which are disposed in a circular array on the base and are rotatable about axes which are offset from central axes of the pin members, rotating the pin members about the axes which are offset from the central axes of the pin members to adjust the positions of the pin members relative to the base, providing a plurality of arcuate mold wall sections, and positioning the mold wall sections in a circular array on the pin members. 
     
     
       2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of positioning the mold wall sections in a circular array on the pin members includes the step of engaging upper end portions of the pin members with the mold wall sections to support the mold wall sections above the base. 
     
     
       3. A method of assembling a mold, said method comprising the steps of providing a base, providing a plurality of relatively movable support members having support surfaces disposed above the base, moving the support members relative to the base to adjust the positions of the support members relative to the base, providing a plurality of mold wall sections, positioning the plurality of mold wall sections on the support surfaces with lower edge portions of mold wall sections disposed above and spaced apart from the base, and interconnecting the plurality of mold wall sections while they are disposed on the support surfaces with the lower edge portions of the mold wall sections spaced apart from the base. 
     
     
       4. A method as set forth in claim 3 further including the step of lifting the plurality of mold wall sections off of the support surfaces while maintaining the interconnections between the plurality of mold wall sections. 
     
     
       5. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of positioning the plurality of mold wall sections on the subject surfaces includes positioning a plurality of inner mold wall sections on the support surfaces with lower end portions of the inner mold wall sections engaging the support surfaces, said step of interconnecting the plurality of mold wall sections including interconnecting the plurality of inner mold wall sections, said step of positioning the plurality of mold wall sections on the support surfaces further including positioning a plurality of outer mold wall sections in engagement with the inner mold wall sections after performing said step of interconnecting the plurality of inner mold wall sections, said step of interconnecting the plurality of mold wall sections including connecting the plurality of outer mold wall sections with the plurality of inner mold wall sections to form a mold cavity between the inner and outer mold wall sections.